Timer switch for internal-combustion engines



N 3, 1948. H. F. c. RIETSCHEL 2,454,524

TIMER SWITCH FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 27, 1946 fINVENTOR;

HENRY FUETJCHEL Patented Nov. 33, 1948 BUSTION ENGINES TIMER swrron FOR INTERNAL- pom- Henry ma. Carl Rietschcl, Nassau county, N. Y. Application August 27, 1946, Serial No. 893,219

, 1' This invention relates to a circuit-breaker apparatus for use with gas engines.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the character described which will make and break the circuit in the ignition system for a long period of time and yet make good contact every time, and break the circuit sharply with accurate timing assured.

In ordinary ignition systems," the circuit of the primary of the ignition coil is carried through two spring contacts which are opened and closed by a rotary multipointed cam. In such a system the contact is broken each successive time on the same contact surface, which must therefore be made of such a metal as tungsten and even so, rapidly heats and burns out In accordancewith this invention, one of the contact members is provided with a plurality of contact points which are used in sequence so that each one has adequate time to cool off before it is again called for duty.

In existing systems, moreover, the circuit is made by bringing the parts together by a motion normal to their surface so that if there be any dust or dirt on either member, it may interfere with the contact. Moreover, each part of one contact element is always opposite the same part of the other. Thus if the surface becomes uneven as it usually does, the contact will be made at one point only, which is always the same point, which on this account rapidly burns out.

In accordance with this invention, contact is made with a wiping motion and this motion is such that each contact is made upon a fresh surface, and any dirt particles are rubbed off to make good contact.

In existing systems, moreover, contacts must be made in air since any insulator such as oil would increase the resistance of the contact because of the manner in which the parts are brought together.

In accordance with this invention, the contact may be closed and broken under oil while still making low resistance contact, thus further insuring the life of the contact.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of-which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in Claims. (Cl. 20026) connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which: i

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying this invention with the cover removed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with most parts in section on the line 2-2 of Fig.

, ner through leads ll.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a casing in in which there is journalled a shaft H connected in the usual manner for rotation with the engine. Upon this shaft there is mounted a contact head i2. ries also the distributor head l3 having a high tension lead I4 making contact at l5a with a spring finger l5 which is rotated past a series of points 16; one point being provided for and connected with each spark plug in the usual man- This distributor may be of any suitable construction.

A plurality of contact arms l8, one for each cylinder, are pivoted at spaced points I9 around the periphery of the contact head I2; and each has at its other end a screw 20 carried in a radial slot 2| in the head I2 to provide a limited movement of the arm outwardly about the pivot 19. Rotatably carried by the screw 20 is a disc 22.

The arms I8 have each an outer edge face 23 substantially concentric with the head I2, and the end of the arm is semicircular as shown at 24, but of slightly smaller radius than disc 22.

Each of the screws 20 is directly connected to ground by means of a jumper 25 directly connecting it with screw I9.

Mounted adjacent to the shaft ll within the casing I0 is a stub shaft 21, and upon this shaft is mounted a rotary electrode 28.

As here illustrated, the shaft 21 is insulated from the casing by an insulator 29, and the electrode 28 is mounted on balls 30 as in a ball bearing. A conducting bar 32 is attached to the electrode 28 and carries a center electrode 33 beneath which is rotatably carried a spring pressed contact 34 in the form of a spring brass wire bearing against electrode 33 beneath its head connected by a wire 35 to the primary of the induction coil.

With the above construction, as the shaft I I is rotated, the surfaces 23 successively make contact with electrode 28 to energize the induction coil. Continued rotation, however, will transfer the contact to disc 22, just before contact is broken to make the spark.

Meantime, the rotation of surface 23 on electrode 28 will rotate the latter, and the movement of disc 22 on electrode 28 will rotate the disc' This shaft H carencased so that not only does the rotation of the mem bers make a sharp current break, but successive breaks for successive sparks occur at different points on both the disc and the electrode so that pitting of the contact surface is avoided.

Moreover, the arms l8 are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force so that the contact between the disc and electrodeis increased.

The mechanism may be run under oil by mais ing the casing i0 oil tight providing an oil seal 38 about the shaft ii.

Whereas the device will operate satisfactorily in reliance upon centrifugai force, yet I prefer to employ springs 38 urging each spring outwardly to give an initial contact pressure even at low speeds.

Since certain changes may be made. in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that ail matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. A contact maker for gas engines or the like comprising in combination, a rotary shaft adapted to be rotated in synchronism with the engine, a. head carried by said shaft having a plurality of circumferentially extending members disposed about its periphery each pivoted to said head at its forward end and constrained in its outward movement about said pivot, a rotary circular electrode mounted adjacent to said head in 40 position to be contacted by said circumferential members, said electrode being insulated from said head, and a terminal connected to one of said rotatory members.

t 2. A device according to claim 1 in which each of said circumferential members has a rotary disc contact journalied upon its free end in position to make contact with said electrode at the time or breaking contact.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which each circumferential member has an exterior surface substantially coaxial with said head whereby contact with said electrode is made for a substantiai length of time and each has journalled upon its free end a rotary disc contact for engaging said rotary electrode. 7

4. A device according to claim 1 in which each circumferential member has an exterior surface substantially coaxial with said head whereby contact with said electrode is made for a substantial length of time and each has journalled upon its free end a rotary disc contact for engaging said rotary electrode, and said electrode is mounted upon ball bearings.

5.. A device according to claim 1 in which each circumferential member has an exterior surface substantially coaxial with said head whereby contact with said electrode is made for a substantial length of time and each has journalled upon its free end a. rotary'disc contact for engaging said rotary electrode, and a'casing adapted to hold oil to submerge said disc and electrode in oil. i

HENRY FRED. CARL RIETSCHEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 971,545 Mason Oct. 4, 1910 1,624,979 Richards Apr. 19, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 148,676 Great Britain Aug. 5, 1920 

